Page 60 of Harry

“Harry…!”

“We’re here.” He wheeled into the parking lot that was already packed with vehicles and settled for a spot beneath a wilting rose bush.

“Looks like we’re running late.”

“Sounds like they already started.” She waited until he came around to open her door and did not protest when he tucked hergloved hand into his as if showing ownership. She just hoped there would be no tension between him and David.

They were greeted at the door by a cheerful woman wearing an elf costume. Her smile increased in wattage as she noticed Harry and all but ignored Janelle. Ushering them inside, she insisted on showing them to their seats, all the while keeping up a conversation with him and making sure to touch his arm whenever she could.

“I think she was expecting me to disappear into thin air.” She had to tamp down her unreasonable anger and jealousy at the woman’s blatant flirting.

“She’s harmless.” He responded carelessly as he guided her to the seats assigned to them. David and Michael were in the same row and greeted them quietly as they sat.

Settling back in the padded chair, she prepared to enjoy the performances of the children and very soon found herself caught up in the nativity scene.

Some of the scenes were tear jerking and some had the audience erupting in laughter. At some point, she found her hand resting on Harry’s muscular thigh and his hand covering hers.

Turning her head to look at him, she simply melted when his eyes met and held hers. Her body went weak as his stare turned slumberous, his eyes venturing to her lips. Her fingers tightened on his and she felt her body dissolving, taking on a heat that was almost overpowering.

Swearing beneath his breath, he dragged his eyes from hers and struggled to get his desire under control.

Her ragged sigh only made it worse, and he had to force himself not to drag her out of the seat and demand that they return home.

*****

“She’s a natural.”

The man’s voice at his elbow had him turning around to see his nemesis standing next to him at the buffet table. He was hardly interested in the food, but an eager female had piled a plate high with delicate pastries and finger food and handed it to him.

“A natural what?” It irritated him that the man was staring at Janelle.

“Mother. Just look at her with those children.” The admiration in the man’s voice set his teeth on edge. He had promised Janelle that he would be on his perfect behavior, but that completely depend on the man standing next to him. He had no idea why he had sought him out in the first place.

“I would say that’s handy since she’s about to become one. Mother of my children.”

David heard the warning and acknowledged it with a smile. “You don’t like the fact that I find her extremely attractive.”

“I don’t like the fact that you’re poaching.”

“She’s a friend.”

“Is she?” Harry managed to rein in his temper, just when he felt like shoving the man out the door. This was a child-friendly event, and he had promised her to keep it civil. “if you would excuse me, I need to go ensure that my woman has something to eat.” Without waiting for the man to respond, he strolled off, satisfied he had made his position clear.

“That was unwise.” Michael’s comment behind him to David, had him turning around.

“You heard?”

“Enough to realize you were poking the bear.” Michael handed him a drink and they both watched as Harry snagged her around the waist and pressed a kiss on top of her head.

“He’s very insecure for a guy with enough money and looks to go around, isn’t he?” The question was rhetorical, but Michael answered.

“He loves her.” There was a bemused look on his face as he watched the couple. “That much is obvious. And that is something new for him. Women fall over themselves to get his attention – case in point.”

He nodded to a few of the patrons who had been invited to the event and saw the dazed and hopeful looks on their faces as they stared at him. “Now if Jan was the insecure type, she would be bashing heads.” A soft laugh escaped him as he took a sip of something resembling fruit punch.

David did not smile back.

“I hope to God he’s worthy of her.”

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